2manetoys

No one recognizes this wire? It is Yellow with a red stripe and goes to a black plug. I can't find a matching black plug. Would it be another color? Need this info so I can get the BRAT back together and get it to the "shop" to start the resto / custom work. Thanks in advance!

is there a relatively easy way to clean the tanks?

I'm replacing the dash in my 85 BRAT. I made the rookie mistake of not labeling the wires as I disconnected them and now I have an "extra" wire that I can't find a matching plug to and I want to make sure that it's for an option that my BRAT didn't come with or find what plug I should be looking for. Front view: Backside of Instrument cluster: It looks like it has something to do with the brakes, but I'm not 100% positive. Thanks in Advance for your help.

It's the Cold and 9 months of winter. I'm a skinny little ************. Heat and humidity I can handle, Cold I don't tolerate well. When the precipitation is no longer in liquid form, I'm ready to head SOUTH!

So which vehicle is getting which parts? did you put the motor from the 85 into the 87? did you switch the MPFI into the 85? Answering these questions will help diagnose the problems.

Congrats! You've just convinced me NOT top move to Colorado!

First off, it looks Damned Good Brother. Secondly check the Subaru retrofitting section for a full write up on swapping an EJ motor into our EA body. It can and has been done many time and Numbchux has an Excellent write up on it. You can also ask around about what might be causing your vapor lock. Might be easier to swap out your carb for a Weber 32/36. Do a little searching on here and you will find more info than you will ever use! Welcome aboard!

Check the vertical "play" in the shaft of the distributor. if there's 1/8" or more it needs replaced.

Here's the basic reason why. I own a 92 Loyale that has a good push button 4wd tranny, and the motor is sound, adn interior is great, but the body is SHOT due to rust. I knew this when I bought it. If I'm lucky, it will last me until next spring. The purpose of buying it was to give me a reliable daily driver while I work on my 85 Brat project. I found an 86 Loyale wagon with the 5spd D/R on craigslist for $300.00 with only 68K on it that doesn't run (no spark even after the coil was replaced which tells me that it probably broke a timing belt which should be an $80 fix.). As long as the body is in good shape, I will buy it with the specific intention of pulling the D/R to install in the 85 BRAT and swapping in the push button 4WD from the 92 Loyale. Then I would have all the parts that I need to send to Jerry to make my kit for the BRAT, and I will still have a reliable DD until I'm done with the resto / upgrade on the Brat. Although I have an 82 FSM (EA81) and 85 FSM (EA82), it obviously wouldn't have the wiring / vacuum hose / etc. differences between the D/R & Pushbutton 4wd. I'd love to find a 5spd D/R for around $150, but I can't seem to find one in my area for that price. I can find entire cars for $400, but they aren't D/R. Thanks, for the help 84gl. I'd love to visit your farm and see all the Subies (27 I think you said you had somewhere).

Anyone ever swapped a push button 4wd into a D/R 5spd vehicle?

Here's a link to the Factory Service Manual 1983 FSM. it's got GREAT Pics and beats a Haynes or Chiltons' Hands down. Only thing I noticed is that there are some pages missing in Chapter 15 (the Body electrical setion) There's a guy on ebay that has been selling various Subaru FSMs. I bought 2 different years off him and no problems. his ID is 3635ken. here's a link to one of his completed auctions (didn't sell) 83 1600, 1800 FSM

I've got a 92 Loyale wagon that is rusted severely, but is mechanically sound. I'm looking at finding another Loyale with the D/R 4wd and a good body. I want the D/R 4wd from the older Loyale to put into the BRAT. So what kind of issues if any, will i run into if I want to swap in the push button 4WD from my current Loyale?

Try removing the knob and checking the back to make sure that it's not broken. If it's broken, then it spin all the way.

if you're doing distance commuting, I'd have to go towards the EA82. Mainly because of parts availability.

Personally, I'd find a buddy or co worker with some welding experience and pay them to do it. Of course, i've paid about that for entire Vehicles not just the exhaust pipes.

$200 for any clean running vehicle is CHEAP! Especially if it's rust free. if it weren't so far from me, I'd offer to take it off your hands.

Welcome aboard Pat. There are several BRAT owners here as well as a few Baja owners. And future Baja owners (myself). If you've got questions about Older Gen Subarus, this is Definitely the place to get answers. And we LOVE PICS! Show off your Brat and BAJA!

I know that I will have to replace the rocker panels and I have a spot under the bed that is serious. And since I'm doing a mild custom / restoration on it, I want ti do it right and I know that it will take some time & money. so I bought a cheap little EA82 4wd wagon to beat around in until I have the brat done. It's ugly as homemade sin due to the rust, but I didn't buy it for looks and I'll use what i can when the rust has devoured it beyond serviceability.

I know that my 85 Brat has a bit of Cancaer that I will need to have cured. will probably cost me more than what it's worth to someone else, but I don't care. I've wanted one for the longest time and now I've got it and I plan on keeping it. Either way good luck.

Try this one and Copy & save all 15 chapters. 1982 ea81 FSM

So where did you get that from or did you make it yourself? Looks Good!

Although the BRATs are cool as hell to own and fun to drive around and tinker with, $5000 is a bit much for one IMO as ones with little rust and needing a little TLC interior wise can be had for $2-3K on eBay. You'll pay less in shipping or travel costs than the $2K difference. I'm betting that it wouldn't be long and you'd miss the OBW. I know that I bought an EA82 just to drive around while I work on restoring the BRAT that I picked up.

Then let me be the first to say that YOU SUCK! Only because I'm jealous. Seriously, Congrats on the Rare find! and Good Luck with the build. Keep the pics Coming!